Manchester United are interested in signing Marko Arnautovic to solve their striker problems
Nobody expected this at the start of the summer.
Manchester United have turned their attention to Premier League cult hero Marko Arnautovic, according to reports.
The striker is best known for his six year stint in English football, spending four at Stoke City between 2013 and 2017 and two at West Ham United between 2017 and 2019.
He's currently playing for Bologna in Serie A and has scored 15 goals in 34 appearances since arriving last August.
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Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport reports the 33-year-old is 'fascinated' by a Premier League return and United are interested too.
Bologna are keen to keep their star man however and have whacked a huge price tag on the Austria international.
Juventus have been linked too as they look to replenish their frontline. It's not the first time United have wanted Arnautovic.
In 2018, Jose Mourinho was prepared to make a move when Arnautovic was at West Ham and seeking a transfer away.
He was sacked a month before the January transfer window opened however and Arnautovic moved to Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League instead.
Currently, United have two senior strikers on their books in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial.
Ronaldo is desperate to leave as he wants to play in the Champions League while Martial only scored one Premier League goal last season.
The France international scored three goals in pre-season but is currently out of action with a hamstring injury.
United have signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez this summer and are still keen to add to their squad.
Manager Erik ten Hag was keen to stress ahead of Sunday's clash with Brighton that it's important to sign the 'right player' rather than any player.
"I'm convinced we have a good team and a good squad. We can still strengthen, but the team has showed it can play at a good level," he explained.
"I'm happy with the current squad - we make good progress. I'm happy with the signings until now. You don't need any player, you need the right player. That's what we're working for."
United let six players leave as free agents upon the expiry of their contract in July.
Among those are club record signing Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani.
Topics: Manchester United
Daniel Marland